Hangman- (TX) 1927 Sandburg
[From American Songbag- Carl Sandburg, 1927. Whether this is a version of Child 95 is questionable since it's lacking many of the important elements. Obviously, it's related and is an offshoot with the important first line.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
HANGMAN
As they sang in that Santa Fe smoker in Texas, I did not ask them why they joked about being in jail in Oklahoma nor why they enlisted in the regular army. They wore bib overalls, their hands were acquainted with shovels, and they told Lengthy, a Tennessee boy, to sing this or they would knock his block off.
Moderately-Arr. A. G. W.
1. Hangman, hangman, slack up on your rope,
Sweetheart, sweetheart, can you give me any hope?
You've broke a heart a-many a time;
But you'll never break this heart of mine.
2 Hangman, hangman, slack up on your rope,
Sister, sister, can they give me any hope?
She broke a heart a-many a time;
She'll never break this heart of mine.